“Love Call” by Gladys Knight and The Pips was issued on UK Sue ILP 934 “Soul 66” (under an incorrect title) and also appears on the Kent CD “Various Artists – The UK Sue Story Vol. 4”.
Category: Enjoy
King Curtis – Soul twist
101 | 23 August 2023
King Curtis | Capitol Records | 16198su
“Soul Twist” by King Curtis and the Noble Knights was released on Sue UK LP ILP 943 “Dr Soul”. The recording dates from 1962.
Saxophonist, band leader and record producer Curtis Ousley (King Curtis) was born Curtis Montgomery (then adopted by the Ousley family) in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 7, 1934. Ousley started playing saxophone at the age of twelve in Texas. During his successful career he played blues, soul, jazz and rock music. He is heard on many Atlantic 1960s hit recordings and is possibly best known for his record of “Memphis Soul Stew” and for his playing on The Coasters’ “Yakety Yak”.
Curtis was killed in Manhattan, New York City on August 13, 1971 when he was stabbed by drug dealer Juan Montanez on the steps of his apartment. Montanez, pleaded guilty, his charge was reduced from murder to manslaughter in return, and he was released from prison on December 5, 1977 for good behaviour.
Chart position: “Soul Twist” No. 1 US R&B, No. 17 US Pop, 1962.
The Naturals -Lenny Goofed
102 | 2 October 2023
There were at least three groups called The Naturals. Most of them are vocal groups and this is an instrumental.
The US label credits “Holler Smith and Jones” and it is thought that the recording is by assembled musicians. “Holler” may be Richard Louis “Dick” Holler (born in Indianapolis on 16 October 1934), a pianist and session musician and songwriter (Abraham Martin and John). Smith is credited on the US single as “Don Smith”. This may be Donald Smith, the jazz vocalist and pianist, who died in New York on 9 April 2022 (Lonnie Liston Smith was his brother). The track was recorded in New York in 1963.
“Lenny Goofed” (Enjoy 1009, 1963) by The Naturals was released on Sue LP ILP 943 “Dr Soul”. Chart position data not available.
Elmore James, Mean Mistreating Mama/I need you
106 | 26 December 2023
Elmore James was born on January 27, 1918 and died on May 24, 1963.
Enjoy 2020/LP 7008, 1965/1966. Sue WI 4007, 1966.
Chart Position: Did not chart.
Elmore James, It hurts me too/Bleeding heart
112 | 24 December 2023
Elmore James | Public domain | 14500
Elmore James, real surname Brooks, was born in 1918 and died of a heart attack in Chicago in 1963. He served his country in the Navy in World War II. Recorded in 1957. James remains a highly influential figure in the blues field.
“It Hurts Me Too”, Enjoy 2015, 1965, UK Sue WI 383, July 1965.
Chart Position: Did not chart.
Tarheel Slim And Little Ann, You Make Me Feel So Good/Got to keep on lovin’ you
113 | 24 December 2023
Little Ann and Tarheel Slim | Soulful Records
Tarheel Slim’s real name was Alden “Allen” Bunn and he was originally a member of a gospel group before forming a vocal group called The Larks. He recorded under a variety of names including his real name.
Mr Bunn was born in Bailey, North Carolina on September 24, 1923 and died in New York City on August 21, 1977.
Little Ann was his wife, Anna Lee Sanford, who was born in 1935 and died in 2004.
“You make me feel so good”, Enjoy 2014, 1965. Released on UK Sue WI 390 on 17 September 1965.
Chart Position: Did not chart.
Sue Records UK 